The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-05-14

the good priest by whom the hungry were
fed, the naked clothed, and the unhappy
comforted-
The pain that had once wrung his heart
was gone. and calmness now reigned IN it.
Nevertheless he always looked sad, as one
over whose head mighty storm had passed.
He often thought OF the friend of his early
youth--of Franzi-and prayed that her
only sin might be forgiven.
4 whole year had gone by, when, one
day, a letter bearing the post mark of an
adjoining city arrived at the vicarage, pray
ing him to come TO one who was fast pass
ing away from the world.
The worthy priest lost not a moment in
attending the summons: and the following
morning found him at the door Of cottage,
the servant of which admitted him, and led
him up stairs into a room, where she left
him. As the door closed behind her an
other opened, and Il female figure entered.
1t was Miss Isidora. Yes, despite her
changed face, and her bleached hair, he
knew her in Il moment
Is it you, Miss Isidorar" he exclaimed,
starting. What mockery is this? Why am
l brought hither?7
Nay, you are not Knocked. reverend sir,
she replied, very mournfully. You are
summoned here to visit a death-he But
first, | must render you an explanation-I
must tell You my tale"
Albert took the chair TO which her finger
pointed, and sat down, a vague fear creep
ing into his heart
Do not imagine that | am the same
woman whom YOU formerly knew" she
commenced AS my face is changed, SO is
my soul purified The hatred that once
filed my breast Is gone, and love lives in
its place. You remember that terrible night,
when you afforded me shelter and protec-
ton, and v hat happened after was hid
den IN the Clubhouse: Well. | heard every
word that Katrina said. and also about the
ring with the three stars engraved on it. and
light seemed to shine upon me, and the
darkness went out of me forever. My father
was a rich man, and / was his only child
she went on. But | was not good, | was
vain, ambitious. and false hearted. / had
a crowd of suitOrs whom 1t was my daily
delight 10 deceive ami torture. But l met
my punishment before long. for one came
who succeeded in ueceiyiug me. For a time
| managed 10 preserve The secret of my
downfall from every eve. At length | DIS
covered that / should soon be a mother. |
was bold, and l did not tlamble even then.
| asked my honorable andtrusting father TO
allow me 70 visit an old scAooImate. and he
consented. l must tell you that | did not
travel far before my unhappy child was
born. | never saw it. / left II with
woman who carried 1t TO place where
it would be certain to be quickly found,
and
Heavenly powers What dire forebod-
ings You awaken ia me- Albert cried.
Your forehoG'ngs do not deceive you,
reverend sir the lady reJoined. Judge
me as You Will. and curse me as | deserve
to be cursed. Well, l learned that the
town took charge OF the founding: aud
afterward | had 10 discover that the girl
whom ! had so prosecuted, and driven to
despair, was my own daughter
The last words were almost shrleked out,
and Miss Isidora. oyerpowered with grief
and shame. slid from her chair, and buried
her face IL its cushion.
The good priest remained speech, ess.
When inst I met the girl years ago, re
sumed the speaker Il felt M heart drawn
toward her. My father died, and l then
went to live with my uncle. ] now began
10 play part-tO seem the woman | was
not. ! hQted every body, and l learned to
feel delight in making people suffer My
youth was fed, and with it every hope.
Judge how | felt when / heard your mother
speak of the ring with the three stars, and
learnt who was its wretched owner. At one
moment / felt inclined to rush forth, and
reveal all 10 you. But | chose to act other
wise. | left my hiding place, ana flew
toward the river. If FnuZi has sought
death, SO will T. l cried, inwardlv.
Here Miss Isidora paused again, quite
oyercoIns with emotion.
Albert raised her from her knees, and
placed her once more Ia her chair.
What more-What more? be exclaimed.
oh. my whole soul goes forth to meet your
words,
/ soon reached the river bank, and by
the light of the moon and the stars l fol-
lowed her footprints in the snow. / saw
that IL ' went toward the water. But, fun
Their on. / remarked that there were foot
marks as of some one coming from the
river I did not understand this l sought
further. and, praise be to Providence, |
found her at last. lying among some thick
bushes quite insensible, and with her
clothes all stiff with the water that had
frozen on them.
"Mereiful powers uttered Albert. 1t
Is no dream. / hope Oh. my heart, Of
what a heavy load thou wilt be relieved if
all this be true. Go on-go on" lie con
tinued, turning to the lady. Tell me AL.
What happened further: Does Franz still
hveG"
she does. We have lived here for some
time. content that the world should believe
us both dead | wrote TO my uncle. and
told MIN everything and he arranged for
me all matters relative to the property
possessed. My life for the last twelve
months has been one of almost unalloyed
happiness; heaven on earth seemed open
to me But now all is changed. and | am
become one Of the most miserable women
III creation.
"Impossible With such daughter you
can not be otherwise than happy.
Hush, She knows not who she IL,
have net dared to tell her. l feared that
she would turn from such mother as |
with horror and lOathIng. Could ! say 10
her, l am the heartiess parent who deserted
her new born babe. and left it to the mercy
Of the wide world. caring nothing whether
II lived or perishedE Oh, how often | have
longed to take her IN my arms and call her
my own But when sometimes the words
rose 10 my lips, a choking sensation would
come in my throat and prevent my speak
ing. and tbs words were left unsaid.
hele-where Is She
She is here. Can you bear to hear the
sad TRUTH"
What more have you to tell?" he de-
mluded anXiOuslv.
Il ana about to lose her, the lady an
swer,d. IA unsteady accents.
"Aou aIe about to lose her" echoed Al
bert 1 do not comprehend you.
She Is dangerously iIl-dylng"
For "a instant Alberts lips quiyered and
q cold shiver Teryaded his frame; IN the
next he Was himself again.
1t WAS her wish to see you once more,
and / obeyed her wish seeing no sin IN it. p
"Nou did we'll he returned.
She Is IN yonder chamber. impadently
expecting You.
Albert turned aside his head and silently
wiped away the tears he could not repress.
Ar. YOU ready: she asked.
Il an.
but one word more. Before you enter,
pronoanee me your forgiveness
Not hy words alone my acts shall prove
that pardon You.
And lie gave her his hand, and she
st'aGltway lei him into FrauZis chamber
There on the bed, lay a wasted form, by
80. gT.l.. rr ~ T. g] b r.I Nv II- II,